Governor Yakowa, ex-NSA Azazi die in helicopter crash

The nation was again thrown into mourning with yesterday’s death of Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and ex-National Security Adviser Gen. Patrick Owoye Azazi (rtd) in an helicopter crash.

Their aides Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal also died as were the pilot and co-pilot of the ill-fated chopper ‘The Navy Augusta (helo 07),’ Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole.

The chopper was on its way to Port Harcourt from Okoroba in Ogbia Local Government area of Bayelsa State when it crashed into one of the many creeks in the largely riverine state.

It burst into flame shortly after take-off before it nose-dived into the the creeks.

The victims were part of the large number of mourners who attended the burial of Pa Obebara Douglas, father of Mr.Oronto Douglas, Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation.

A source said the crash might have been caused by “shuttles probably beyond its capacity.

“We are suspecting that the chopper may have become wearied after many shuttles between Okoroba and Yenagoa. We learnt that it had done up to 10 shuttles,” the source said, adding:”The helicopter was carrying VIPs, in batches because of the coastal terrain. The use of the chopper was meant to hasten the movement of the VIPs.

President Goodluck Jonathan expressed shock at the crash.

In a statement last night, Presidential spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed utter shock and sadness over the crash Saturday in Bayelsa State of a military helicopter resulting in the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Azazi (rtd), their aides, Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal and the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole.

“The President extends deep and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, and the governments and people of Kaduna and Bayelsa States. He describes the sudden loss of these distinguished Nigerians as extremely painful to the entire nation.

“President Jonathan has ordered an investigation into the cause(s) of the crash.”

The Kaduna State Government said: “The death has occurred of His Excellency, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (CON). He died in a Navy helicopter crash on his way to Port Harcourt from Bayelsa State. Other details and burial arrangements will be announced later. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, amen.”

The statement was signed by Secretary to State Government (SSG) Lawal Samaila Abdullahi.

The Navy also announced the crash in a statement by its director of Information, Commodore Kabir Aliyu. It said: “A Nigerian Navy Agusta helicopter (helo 07) crashed today Saturday 15 December 2012 at about 3:30pm around Nembe-Okoroba area in Bayelsa State.

“The helicopter was conveying some VIPs to Port Harcourt from Okoroba Village also in Bayelsa State.

“Search and rescue operation is on-going by a combined team of personnel from Joint Task Force (OPS PULO SHIELD), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, NEMA and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“Further details on the crash will be made available as received.”

A source gave graphic details of how the crash occurred.

The source said: “The helicopter took off normally from Okoroba at about 2pm for Port Harcourt but it later crashed at about 2.30pm in Nembe area of Bayelsa.

“The plane plunged into a forest and burst into flame. None of the VIPs at the burial of Pa Obebara Douglas suspected that anything was wrong with the helicopter because it had been making shuttles to ferry VIPs to Yenagoa and Port Harcourt.

“But following a distress alarm from the control tower in Port Harcourt, when the helicopter was not sighted on the radar, a search and rescue operation was immediately initiated.

“The bodies of the six victims were later retrieved and transferred to a morgue in Yenagoa.”

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said last night that all six passengers aboard the chopper died.

NEMA spokeman, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, in a statement, said: “NEMA has just confirmed the death of six passengers in a Naval helicopter that crashed in Nembe area of Bayelsa.”

It was however gathered that a former Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe, cheated death by the whiskers as he was scheduled to be on board he helicopter.

Another source said: “When the short listing was done, Alaibe was expected to be part of the batch that crashed. He was directed to join others to board the chopper but he deferred to Governor Yakowa and Gen. Azazi as a matter of protocol.

“Most of the VIPs who saw Alaibe off to the temporary helipad assumed that the former NDDC boss had died in the crash.”

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), said it has no mandate to investigate military air accidents.

Mr Tunji Oketunbi, spokesman for the AIB, said: “The crashed helicopter is a Naval aircraft. AIB investigates only civil aircraft accidents. You may want to contact the military authorities for further information.”

Governor-Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State is currently hospitalised in Germany following the injuries he sustained in a plane crash in Yola on October 25.

Its a sad day for the people of southern kaduna. It may take them forever to regain power in that state again

sylvester oluwasegun isaac

may there soul rest in peace.this is an evidence of how our leaders spends tax-payers money without any regards to millions of poor nigerians;is there no any other important functions for yakowa than attending orontos fathers burial;all these never happens to a serious and workaholic governor of the united state of america;i hope the rest are also learnning.stop wasting our money on an un-necessary things and trip,chikena!!!!

Lanre Young

God bless you sylvester . That is Nigerian Leaders for. Notwithstanding we do not pray for such but other leaders should be careful and note that God is in control.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net Namtar

Death is inevitable and what God has designed will surely come to pass. But the death of Governor Ibrahim Patrick Yakowa and Awoye Azazi (rtd), former National Security Adviser should not be now that the Nation is facing a terrible security challenge, especially, Kaduna State. But God’s time is not better than now, nor cries of chickens usually stop hawks from eating. God, we give You the glory for evrythin You allowed to happened. It may be beyond the reasons abduced as the cause of the crashed, but God, you are All-Knowing. My thoughts and family are with the Nation, the President, Kaduna State and all the families that lost their love ones in the chrash. May thier souls rest in the bosom of God. Amen.

Crash here are there at regular interval in Nigeria is the outcome of corruption in steal the money meant for repair and maintenance. Poors die in road accident while the riches in air crash equation is balance, let corruption continue then we shall see.

ozo nwogu

@avavomeh that’s what i have in mind

don yahyah

God bless u avavomeh for dat!

UCHE AONDOFA PAUL

RIP. Nigerian Planes.

KAM ZOR

It’s is a great loss indeed. May their soul rest in peace. I hope our General Oversears who have taken helcopter as a showcase for evangelism should take note.

syn

people sleep and die, I suggest u don’t sleep anymore Kam zor…

emma mangai jos

may jentle soul of His excellency, sir patrick Yakowa and the soul of the departed RIP. Amen!

May perpetual light shine upon Gov. Yakowa. That being said, I think he died a stupid death. What is so special about the burial of the president’s special aide’s father that the governor had to leave pressing matters of state to attend? He died because he wanted to do eye service, nothing more nothing less. The man died 1000 kilometers away from his state and there are more than enough people to bury him in Bayelsa, why must the governor choose to follow the dead man to his grave; to impress the president, to impress Oronto Douglas?
May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Hon Agerega One

Good day Sir, i think you are wrong. Do you know the relationship between the Governor and Oronto Douglas, if they are close friend, and Oronto father die is’t wrong for the Governor to attend his friend fathers burial?

It is a great loss to the entire nation, may they are gentul soul rest in perfect peace (Amen) O Allah we need your intervantion in our nation, becos the great men that can feight for masse’s deiing pls Allah have marcy on us.

Abdullahi Remi

RIP to them

http://Googlemail Nweke Dunkwu

May their souls rest in peace. Every event has a message but as a people, Nigerians do not learn from important events in their history. Nothing was learnt from the civil war or from the way Abacha died. Nobody is safe because of generalized corruption, inflated and nurtured by the PDP, and the mindless way we do things. Our preference for mediocrity and deceit in political leadership means that we have chosen not to develop normally. Corruption has produced a bad aviation culture in Nigeria, not to mention lack of portable water, electricity, educational system, healthcare and other facilities. The current set of bad leaders should bury their heads in shame and let Nigeria be. Their belief that they constitute Nigeria and that Nigeria cannot exist without them is a delusion.

willybee

Althugh It is too early, we should never rule our some conspiracy in this crash. Many powerful persons in Kaduna state and in the ruling party PDP have many reasons to have a hand in the death of the governor and general Azazi. The Nigeria Navy has to explain why it deployed one helicopter to make many flights on such occasion.

Very sad news. May their souls rest in peace. I suspect sabotage because the 2 victims had ongoing beef with both the president and vice president. for the helicopter to burst in flames in mid air is highly suspect. too much shuttles will not cause a flame up. This is highly suspicious

EFFICO777

Thank you,Kayode.
I have the same heart with you,I indeed suspect a vow play in this matter,there are some hidden agenda about this crash and I do know with time the secret will come to public attention,no one drink water with a dirty cup that would not have disease and there is nothing done under the heaven that is not having a watch .May the souls of thses great Nigerians who met their untimely death Rest in great peace AMEN.God will console their families

ETERNITY

May their souls RIP.amen.OH LORD save us from all disasters…crashes on land,air…..floods,droughts,explosions,strikes,hunger,wars,……and change our minds to be safety/SECURITY conscious IJN.AMEN.

http://hotmail brass

Whoever thinks that this accident is ordinarily is only been naive.This is a kamikaze suicide mission.Since they are careless and do not realise the enormity of the wickedness of the animals the northern muslims who beleve that they are born to rule Nigeria and control her reasouces they will continue to die like this and there is no sympathy for them either

Baba Inno

brass, from the name we know you are a chicken head. the death happened in the gej state and we have been suspecting gej to be the real BH, now it has shown. he killed azazi because azazi said pdp is the real BH and joined yakowa so as to misleead people, people can not always be misled.

peaceman kalu

@nweke dunkwu u said my mind.may there soul rest in peace.but i think its a time of sober reflection 4rm our leaders, cos what dey sow is what dey reap.until dey start doing what is rite,they will all b consumed.no good roads,healthcare,electricity,education etc.one thing i know,they cant run away 4rm nigeria.more still 2 come.

Sunny Akhigbe

May their souls rest in peace! I have no quarrel with attending burial ceremonies or any other ceremony for that matter. But there is a flaw in the manner high government officials honour invitation to some of these numerous ceremonies. Some of them do it to please others. Put differently to curry favours from higher quarters. How can a whole governor of a state travel all the way from the North West to far away Bayelsa for the burial of the father of a mere special adviser to the president? Who was this special adviser before he was so appointed?Some of our elected politians are not working. This is why when a gatekeeper in the presidency is naming a baby you find governors cavorting to outdo one another in the hope of being in good stead in the eyes of the president. It is the height of sycophancy.
Must a governor who has the responsibility of caring for millions of citizens attend such ceremonies? I mean there are so many ways of expressing solidarity with anyone who is celebrating. With the myriad of problem facing the citizens, our governors have time to engage in fancy hedonism like learning to fly aircraft and engaging in frivolous trips. Ordinarily and in a system where things work, a local govrrnemt chairman has his hands full, not to talk of a state governor. But in Nigeria, to the elected politician everyday is Christmas and every Christmas is a celebration!

willybee

And some of the celebrations have tragic ending!!

David

Sad ends of two patrick. May their gentle soul rest in peace. But should there be a y conspiracy in their death God will judge the culprits before the end of this year.

Desmond

Let’s do proper forensic analysis of the crash to be sure there was no explosive hidden in the chopper. I hope u realise some people in Kaduna state never wanted Yakowa to be the gorvernor of that state.

Bad

@ Desmond there is no governor that his entire populace like the fact that he is the governor over them but it does not mean that they want to see him dead.

Jumbo-Lee

@Desmond, if that be the case, Azazi would most likely be the target because of what he knows about our compromised security set-up. Yakowa would just have been a dispensable collateral damage (to balance the equation?) of the act of sadism

OSAMOR PAT IZU

When you rejoice over the death of even your enemy, you are not a child of

It is satanic to rejoice over the death of somebody, even an enemy. What of the children of the dead, don’t they deserve our sympathy? It is instructive to know that the dead ones will not be buried in our graves so that we have eternal life. We shall all die,it is only a question of when.I share with their families and loved ones the grief, not because I know them, but because I know what they are going through.

Kayode Ajayi

The bible says, they amased wealth, but do not know who will spend it. If these dead people knew that the wealth they had amased over the years will not be spent by them, maybe they would have used it wisely for the betterment of their people. This is a lesson for our so called leaders that one day it will be the end. What will kill you, you do not know. So what happens to the accumulated monies? Somebody else takes over.
May their souls rest…………………

Nwadinobi Austin

it is very unfortunate it happened like this, it is a lesson to our leaders who don’t want to repair our roads instead they will decide to fly on air, hoping that they can’t ply on road,God want to show them that his initial plan for man was to move on land not on air, but they decide to destroy our road and fly on air.
Although thorough investigation have to carry out, because moslim people did not like Patrick Yakowa because he was a christian, they have being saying that a christian will not rule kaduna state until God put Yakowa with his hand.

Ali

U say God has given yakowa wit his hand,now it is d same God dat gave it 2 muktar yero…………religion bigot.

http://www.gmail.com ade adeleke

u are a bigot, how many muslims has gained top position in your states? or are u saying there are no ibo muslims at all in the east?.I dont why you guys always put rel;igion sentiments into every issue in Nig..,thats how you conspired in 2011 election rigging in favor of GEJ , the result of which we are all reaping…2015 is coming, open your heart and repent..

http://goggle Ter

May thier gentle souls RIP.

Azeez Bamidele

May there departed souls rest in peace

Kayode

It is sad that these guys died the way they did. Every living soul will definitely die. I hope these politicians will learn a lesson from all this developments and try to work hard at developing Nigeria. The skies is no longer save. The money voted for roads construction has been stolen and they can no longer find succor in the air. What a pity. Come to think of it, when does a military helicopter become a transporter of dignitaries going to parties. These so called leaders should learn. Whatever might have been stolen by Azzai and others is now nothing. They have left their families now with bad roads, ill equipped hospitals if any, their compatriots with lack of jobs and so many bad things in this century. For all you know, their families are not aware of were they kept their loots in Dubai or China.What a pity. May i use this opportunity to commiserate with the people of Kaduna State and the families of the deceased. May God comfort them.
This is how far you guys have destroyed Nigeria. We have also noted so call men of God who curry favors from the seat of power but can not tell them the home truth. We have also noted that they have been feeding fat on the poor and ignorant. God will surely judge us all.

William J. Mietamuno Jaja

My heart goes to the families of the crash victims. It is really unfortunate to end the year on a very sad note for these families and the people of Kaduna State. May the good Lord grant the souls of the faithful departed an eternal rest and the families of the victims the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Amen.

http://N/A ABDULQUADRI

Much as it is acceptable fact that every individual have right to his opinion, blaming the deceased governor for attending the burial of someone who might have at one time or the other contributed positively to what he ended up becoming in life is to far unreasonable. Besides, it is said that all works without playo make Jacki a dull boy; can’t Yakowa as a governor have some gap out of work for leisure? Why was provision made for the office fop deputy governor in our constitution

HThis is a wrong time for anybody to apportion blame rather, we should all reflect on how to return this country on the right track where it had derailed since the coup that removed our first republic government, the wages of the sin of which we may coninue to pay forever.

Olaleye Steve Akintububo

This is very unfortunate

Olaleye Steve Akintububo

Qui Cera cera

Egwu

God have mercy on our country Nigeria. May the souls of the departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Ike. Emma k.

Pls, let us observe 5 minutes silent to the deasesd for God knows the best. May their gentle soul rest in perfect peace. AMEN

Olorun Esan

Nigeria govenment cannot give us anything good. No roads, hospitals, schools etc. They resort into flying. Well devil is bringing them down from the sky. I do not know whether they would rest in peace. After death, it judgement.

mike

May their gentle souls rest in peace and may their sins be forgiven in Jesus name, amen. Shalom!

kruger brent

Thanks KAYODE and so many reasonable commentators on this very unfortunate and sad occurrence…..if anyone had told the late governor and the former NSA this time yesterday that they would be dead,probably they would have laugh it off because they were hale and hearty and HAVE IT ALL…the lesson is for all VAGABONDS IN POWER,,at all levels…right from councillors to the President and all their appointees and the GODFATHERS… who always plays GOD like the ALMIGHTY GOD and amasses WEALTH that is meant for the betterment of the RULED..that the time for the INEVITABLE DEATH is a COUNTDOWN…always coming sooner and sooner and very near than far… and no mortal,i repeat no mortal no matter how powerful,spiritually gifted and whatever have a knowledge of WHEN,HOW and WHERE it will HAPPEN…SO THEY SHOULD CHANGE THEIR WAYS NOW…and DO GOOD for the betterment of the MASSES before their TIME comes….is it not written in the scripture that ” only a mad person amasses wealth”….thank GOD for DEATH the LEVELER ….nigeria would have been PARADISE for the VIPs who are in custody of millions,billions and trillions of naira and foreign currencies while millions of nigerians are living in ABJECT POVERTY…may the ALMIGHTY GOD judge the departed according to their deeds…amen…

Hon. Grams Bolaji Osborne

Another Helicopter Crash:
Enough is enough!!

The death of Hon. Yakowa, Azaza, and others in the crashed helicopter accident is the last time Nigeria will ever suffer leadership sets backs such as this ever again. Accordingly, I am issuing a clear directive to President Jonathan Goodluck & all State Governors (Yes!!), to issue his own directive suspending the use of all Military or governmental helicopters until further notice; and until investigations by an independent international investigators is performed; and for all personal to undergo a new recertification’s.

The only Nigeria Military or governmental helicopters that are to be allowed to fly the sky’s of Nigeria as of the effectiveness of the within directives, are helicopters designated for Combat operations. All others are to be grounded; including the one president Goodluck & the governor’s uses for anything. Also, no State Governors in Nigeria is to circumvent the wisdom of this directive.

Interestingly in the past, this Nation has had too many military plane crashes in Nigeria involving either mostly groups of army officers or high ranking State & National leaders & top officers. Wherefore the aforesaid being said, and unless President Good Luck issue the aforementioned directives within the next seventy two (72) hours from this date, the president and his political party should not be trusted with leadership of Nigeria. I declare indeed.

Finally, from the depth of my heart, and of all concerned Nigerians, our deepest sympathy goes to the family & friends of the late Hon. Yakowa, Azaza, and all others who died in the crashed helicopter accident this month; and rest assured that their deaths would not be in vain, I further declare.

Hon. Grams Bolaji Osborne
_ A Servant & Leader _

http://-- ALERO

what a sad news again. but i am very much unhappy with the governor. what importance is there to leave his duty post to attend the burial ceremony of an inconsequential fellow??? aide to the president to me has very little relevance to a governor. if would have sent down an aide there. and if he felt so involved then he might send the secretary to the state government. why would an hawk go partying with the vulture? mr governor, may you rest in peace , but your indiscretion will cause majority of kaduna indigenes, your admirers and a host of others so much sadness for a long time to come.

dis jonathan govt is bad. Nothing good has come out of it. D govt has made life difficult for nigerians, and too much bloodshed and catastophies. It is time nigerias cry to God for intervention

Daniel

My sympathy goes to those who plotted this crash, I pity them. Death is an appointment for every living, after that judgement. Planning death trap for others does not eliminate death on your own life track.It is a means of asking one to go ahead of you. In Kaduna there is no doubt, the moslems do not want the Christians to be governor even though they are the minority. Eliminating Patrick Yakowa is not and never a victory to them for there is no peace says God for the wicked. Souls can only rest in peace if they made peace with God through Jesus Christ who died on the cross and shed His precious blood to redeem man. This world is not my home. The wicked I pity you. God shall judge definitely in His time. Prepare to meet with God your maker. Thanks.

omata

Naija people this is a lesson for all leaders. May the departed souls RIP and for GOD to give the Naija people the fortitude bear lose

So painful, what a big loss bt lets know that million of our HEROS die every day on R.T.A unrecognised. God hv mercy.

http://none Anthony Iloegbunam

Too Bad as the fallen Gov.he must have been given some respect. With this, our Islamic brothers are not too far from complicity is this unfortunate Deaths. By this action, there is Total fowl-play.

Eric

Going for invitations is not a bad thing and Nigerians are very wicked plane crashed and people are happy dat top dignitaries died,nobody will leav on earth forever every one must surely die some day,my sympathy goes to d family of all those who lost their love ones.may their soul rest in d bosom of our lord almighty,Amen

http://Yahoo.com Ihu chukwuemeka

The Lord knows, he sees the end from the beginning , we give him thanks for all things, especially the souls of the faithful to rest in the bossom of the Lord. The rich also cries, I have seeing the President cried each time there is an attack by the Boko Haram sec, saw him cried during his late brothers funneral and now the very recent, I think we need to continually pray that The Lord heal our land, and bless those in Authority, this should be a season of merry not mourning. I wish every one a merry x mas celebration and gracious years ahead, things would be better in 2013, we all need to pray.

pastor Akhigbe Samuel

The death of a general without war is terrible and it point to the fact that death is neccessary end for all man. It is apponted unto men once to die and after that is judgement. All our leaders should as a matter of urgency take a clue from this pailfull loss of this great men. A serving governor just died. It could have be you. Pls let our leaders start making restitution before it is too late. God is watching.

Dake

I wasn’t thrown into mourning and not Nigeria as a whole..Take note the nation…Let them keep stealing money..Everything will end somewhere

olanrewaju joel

hmmmm the nation editors i wonder if you read all these garbage poured here daily. the gramma, content etc are just too bad and meaningless also provocative.
what does religion have to do in this crash.is the first in Nigeria? no, and it wont be the last.
my comment is let the good continue to do good, and the otherwise also should continue. soon and very soon the weed shall be separated from the shaft.
but there had been there are too many deaths ,disasters, calamities during this GEJ regime. i stand to be corrected but thats the situation. is it him or our cup of sin is my overflowing and GOD is judging Nigerians.
FOOD FOR TAUGHT.
Compliments of the season , better stay in your station if you can to avoid nemesis on the roads.

omoondo

corruption give birth to death of the corrupted ones. God save we masses o make them plane no come crash for our roof. RIP to all Nigeria Planes both military civilian cos they’re all have the nick name “ILL-FATED”.

http://www.mm.com millenium messenger

this is clear lesson for every nigerian especially the political class who refuse to accept that death is imperative and occur mostly when you do not expect it.do good to others for good name is better than riches.this was the tenet upon which zik,ahmed bello,awolowo,etc built their political philosophies.my advice is that every body should learn to do good so that nigerian will be a better country once again.may their souls rest in peace.amen.

http://gloryconsultant.com Glory

God knows why this happened, who knows who will be next tomorrow, live a good life on earth, the judgement day is coming. May there souls rest in peace.

odeyemi A. Adewale

My sincere condolence goes to the deseased family and the entire people of.kaduna state. May almigthy God give them the fortute to bear the loss. This is really bad and a complete disgrace to this country…..for a military chopper to crash that way, I believe Nigeria is not safe. RIP Yakowa, Azazi. TO ALL YOU HEARTLESS AND MINDLESS LEADERS, BEWARE!!! YOUR JUDGEMENT COMETH SOON

Eno-burstic

The only christian governor in the northern region sir patrick Yakowa ,I love you but God love you most sleep well in your beloved home.Rest in Peace Sir.

DAMISSAH STEPHEN

We do not pray for this crash but I pray that may their souls rest in peace Amen. This is a lesson for our leaders that , you can not continue to waste tax payer’s money because their sweat will continue ask for it. Our so called leaders put our high ways in good condition.Also this is a lesson to politicians, pastors who are hungry for private jets and helicopters,they should be careful because God is ready to revenge now.

William J. Mietamuno Jaja

My heart goes out to the families of the crash victims and the God fearing people of Kaduna State. It is unfortunate to end the year on a very sad note more so during the Xmas season. May the good God grant the souls of the faithful departed eternal rest and the families of the victims the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Amen.

pastor stephen.a atkongu

MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN BOSSOM OF ABRAHAM AMEN.

olayiwola hakeem

it’s sadden, death and pure water in Nigeria, which out of the two is more expensive?

http://Www.demomotor.com Ademola Akeem Akanfe

Very sad, there gentle soul rest in perfect peace

Life

Rest in peace Men! Boko haram has done this. No body is saved. Our securitymen are of the 18th century-no intelligence. Death is inevitable and one thing is sure God is about to sit in judgment against evil men in this country. Watchout!!!